a. and sb. [f. prec. + -AN.]

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  A.  adj. Belonging to Arabia. Arabian bird: the phœnix, fig. a unique specimen. Arabian nights: fabulous stories.

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1606.  Shaks., Ant. & Cl., III. ii. 12. Oh Anthony, oh thou Arabian Bird!

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1771.  [Sheridan], trans. Aristænetus’ Love Ep., XII. vii.

        Her neck ambrosial sweets exhales;
Her kisses like Arabian gales
  The scent of musky flowers impart.

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1808.  Syd. Smith, Plymley’s Lett., Wks. 1859, II. 180/2. To cram him with Arabian-night stories about the Catholics.

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  B.  sb. A native of Arabia; also, one of a sect that arose in Arabia in the 3rd century, holding that the soul died with the body, and rose again with it at the resurrection.

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c. 1391.  [see ARABIC].

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1526.  Tindale, Acts ii. 11. Grekes and Arabians.

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1670.  G. H., Hist. Cardinals, I. II. 52. [The] Arabians … were in a short time suppress’d by the industry of St. Origen.

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